Getting The Deposit Back
A.R.S. 33-1321 — an itemized list within 14 days of the tenant's demand, and twice the amount wrongfully withheld if not
No more than one and one-half month's rent. In Arizona, a landlord may not demand or receive security, however it is named and including prepaid rent, worth more than one and one-half month's rent. A tenant may still choose to pay more than that in advance.
The landlord states in writing the purpose of every nonrefundable fee or deposit, and any fee or deposit not designated as nonrefundable is refundable. At move in, the landlord gives the tenant a signed copy of the lease, a move-in form for listing damage already there, and written notice that the tenant may be present at the move-out inspection. On the tenant's request, the landlord says when that inspection will be.
Fourteen days, not counting weekends or holidays. After the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant makes a demand, the landlord has 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other legal holidays, to provide an itemized list of every deduction together with any amount due. Unless the tenant arranges otherwise in writing, both go by first class mail to the tenant's last known place of residence.
Sixty days to dispute it. If the tenant does not dispute the deductions or the amount due within 60 days after the list is mailed, the list is deemed valid and final and any further claims of the tenant are waived.
Twice the amount wrongfully withheld. When the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the property and money due, together with damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
The deposit may be applied to rent owed and, subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate, to charges set out in the signed lease and to damage from the tenant's failure to maintain the unit. Whoever holds the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by the section.
Sources for this section (1)
- A.R.S. 33-1321 — Security deposits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.